Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerNJ State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes issued a release today about NJ Alert, where residents can sign up for emergency alerts.

TRENTON -- New Jersey residents can sign up for emergency alerts from state law enforcement and homeland security agencies, state officials announced today.

Alerts involving hurricanes, evacuations or terrorist attacks can be received via email or text message through the service, called NJ Alert.

"During an emergency, timely dissemination of accurate information is the cornerstone of public safety," Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent and director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, said in a statement.

People can sign up for alerts at www.ready.nj.gov. Nicholas Morici, spokesman for the OEM, said the service was provided to the state for free by Professor Robert Statica at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

"This is totally free not only to the state but to users," he said.

Morici said other states like New York have already implemented similar email and text messaging services.

New Jersey currently uses radio broadcasts to announce emergencies, he said.

Residents can also use the system to volunteer help during an emergency.

"We want people to know that when you see that message, public action needs to be taken," Morici said.